Masai Ujiri unveils ambitious plan to expand US$25M Zaria Court sports, hospitality concept across Africa

AFRICA – Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive and founder of Zaria Group, has announced plans to expand his innovative Zaria Court concept beyond Kigali to major African cities.

This bold initiative aims to transform the continent’s sports and entertainment landscape by building integrated sports-focused hotels and arenas.

The US$25 million Zaria Court Kigali development, officially launched in July 2025, combines an 80-room boutique hotel with a 2,000-seat arena, fitness and wellness center, public basketball court, five-a-side football pitches, sports bar, restaurant, retail spaces, and creative co-working studios.

It serves as a multifunctional hub for sports, culture, music, fashion, and community activities, becoming a catalyst for local economic development.

Zaria Court reflects Ujiri’s vision of leveraging sports infrastructure to inspire youth, foster entrepreneurship, and create vibrant cultural ecosystems, which he hopes to expand to the rest of Africa.

He emphasizes that Africa has a lack of world-class arenas and venues, which hampers the growth of sports and entertainment industries on the continent.

Ujiri plans to replicate the Zaria Court model in cities including Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Abidjan, where the need for modern sports and entertainment infrastructure is acute.

He highlights Rwanda’s supportive government and growing sports sector as key success factors that can be emulated elsewhere.

The expansion aligns with broader goals of boosting African sports, culture, and youth empowerment through infrastructure development.

This project also supports local economies by creating jobs and nurturing small businesses through retail incubation within the venues.

Supported by Helios Sports and Entertainment Group and local partners, the project demonstrates a hybrid investment approach blending international and local capital.

Managing Partner Andrew Feinstein said Zaria Court’s model turns underutilized urban spaces into economic engines with authentic community impact.

Ujiri envisions Zaria Court as more than venues—they are ecosystems that connect, nurture, and elevate African talent, providing opportunities beyond sports for education, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

As these sports-focused hotels and arenas expand, they are set to redefine hospitality and entertainment experiences in Africa, creating dynamic venues that serve diverse needs and celebrate African excellence.

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